FAQs

Of all the technology degrees available the degree in  Information Systems and Analytics (ISA) is arguably the most broad and most diverse. It provides just about anyone with an interest in working with technology the opportunity to do just that. Typically ISA degrees are made up of half business courses and half technology courses. The reason for this is that ISA programs are designed to teach students how to solve business problems using technology.

A degree in ISA prepares students  for a wide variety of technology careers, depending on where their  interests lie.  A ISA degree provides one of the broadest technology foundations of all the technology degrees. The reason is due to the combination of business and technology courses required for the degree.

Job opportunities are dependent on three things: GPA; experience; and the types of courses taken. By carefully selecting which elective courses to take ISA student at Texas State can specialize in programming and development, database, or networking/security.  However, a ISA degree can prepare students for any number of other positions including but not limited to: systems analyst, programmer analyst, business analyst, business analytics, mobile developer, web developer, etc.

Information Systems and Analytics, or ISA, is often mistaken for computer science (CS). ISA students take many of the same courses that CS students do. The primary difference between the two is that ½ of the ISA courses are business courses, where CS students don’t take any business courses, unless they choose to take a business minor. CS majors focus more on programming efficiency and algorithms, and ISA students focus more on applying technology to solve business problems. In most organizations, it takes both sets of skills to complete major projects. Oftentimes, it is the ISA students that work with the business clients to design the applications and programs. Once designed, the ISA majors work with the CS majors to develop and implement the ultimate software product. 

ISA and MIS have a significant amount of overlap. The main difference between ISA and MIS is the amount of development or programming course work that is required. MIS programs are more closely tied to business aspects than ISA. ISA is more closely tied to the development or technology aspects of the degree. Depending on the specific electives taken, an MIS student could be classified as a ISA student, and a ISA student could be classified as an MIS student.

Math skills are necessary for any type of technology degree. However, the level of math skills necessary for ISA students is less than those required for most CS programs. At Texas State the math requirements are College Algebra and two statistics courses. The ISA Department has tutors to help students with the statistics courses, and the university offers additional tutoring for statistics and for College Algebra at the Student Learning Assistance Center or SLAC.

ISA graduates can make anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 straight out of college. However, the actual starting salary depends on the grades, skills, activities and experience a student has. Good students who are active in internships, get involved with the student chapter of the Information Technology Students of America and participate in competitions typically find themselves at the higher end of the spectrum.

Yes, there are several ways that students can obtain internships. Once each semester the university career center hosts an internship and job fair. Weekly newsletters from the career center identify employers on campus for internship and full-time positions. The department chair receives numerous opportunities for internships throughout the semester that are passed on to students. Finally, students often find internships through online applications as well as personal connections. You can find out more about internships by visiting our internships page.

Yes. We offer a course that focuses on Android development. 

The primary student organization that is associated with the ISA program at Texas State is the Student Chapter of the Information Technology Students of America, or ITSA. This organization is very active and members participate in regional and national student conferences and competitions. The Texas State Chapter of ITSA sponsors the High School IT Symposium held annually in the fall at Texas State. The chapter also holds monthly chapter meetings at the LBJ Student Center and members participate in professional meetings in San Antonio and Austin. You can find out more about by visiting the ITSA website.

Meaningful work: IT professionals work on creative teams to develop cutting-edge products and solutions that save lives, solve health problems, improve the environment, and keep us connected.

Security and high salaries with a bachelor’s degree: The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that IT jobs will be among the fastest-growing and highest-paying over the next decade. The jobs in greatest demand will require a computing degree. These jobs, critical to our nation’s economy and security, also earn the highest entry-level salary of any bachelor’s degree. Yet it takes less time to complete the required education than for other respected professions, such as doctors or lawyers.

Flexibility and variety: Many IT careers offer flexible hours or telecommuting, making it easier to blend career and family. And it professionals have skills that are useful in many different jobs.

The gaming industry is a fast-changing field. As console demand slips and stand-alone computing games give way to mobile and multiplayer cloud environments, the skills required are changing. 

There are a variety of specializations that will allow a person to get involved with game development. It all depends on which specialization you are interested in. These specializations include programming, graphics, designer and others. 

From the CIS perspective the primary way in would be through programming. This would include a focus on development skills as well as mobile development.